Ivan Karelin (イワン・カレリン), alias Origami Cyclone (折紙サイクロン), is a hero who wears a kabuki themed ninja/samurai inspired costume. At first Ivan mostly appears in the background of photos and broadcasts to please his sponsors. As the show continues Ivan decides to be a more active hero even though he feels his powers aren't made for combat. He assists in evacuations, makes sure the citizens are safe, and actively participates in taking down criminals with his weapons and martial arts.

Contents

Personality

Origami Cyclone initially appears as a hyperactive outgoing person in costume though he never participates in battles and usually just stands in the background due to the fact his abilities aren't great for combat. However, in reality Ivan is shy, insecure, and negative and only acts outgoing for the cameras.

He believes that his powers are not good for combat and that he does not deserve to be a hero, especially since he didn't help his friend Edward.

After some encouragement from Kotetsu, Ivan decides to become more active hero. He begins to utilize his equipment (such as his swords and giant shuriken) in battle and manages to find creative ways to use his powers, such as disguising himself as a hostage and then attacking the captor[2], and helping civilians get to safety. He even found the courage to disguise himself as Hans Chuckman to infiltrate Jake Martinez's hideout. He has become more courageous and selfless, but retains a sort of melancholy and nervous personality. He also opens up more to the other heroes, becoming good friends with them. He is loyal and will stand by his friends in battle. However, he has expressed his belief that he is still not much of a hero because he has to use sneak tactics on his opponents, believing it isn't very noble or just.

History

Ivan once attended the Hero Academy alongside his best friend Edward Keddy. Unlike Edward, however, he was a poor student and had no confidence in his abilities. One day when they were off campus, they happened upon a large crowd surrounding a hostage situation. Edward decided to use his NEXT ability to apprehend the criminals, but was unable to convince Ivan to help. Even when Edward's attempt led to a worse situation, Ivan was too frightened and self-conscious to act. Though he ended up becoming a hero, Ivan continued to feel guilt for Edward ending up in prison, without a future.

Storyline

Series One

Edward's Revenge

Following the appearance of Lunatic the public's opinion of heroes dropped significantly and, in an effort to change that, the heroes are sent to do good around the city. Ivan, Kotetsu and Barnaby are sent to Hero Academy to speak to the students. As Ivan has no real battle experience, he can only try teaching the students how to make the most of advertising by frequently appearing on camera - something that none of them care about. After watching Kotetsu speak with a group of students who possess NEXT powers which were very ill-suited for battle, Ivan asks the veteran hero to look at his power as well. Though Kotetsu is at first enthusiastic about Ivan's capabilities after Ivan transforms into him, he becomes significantly less so upon learning that Ivan's NEXT power only copies another person's appearance, and not their abilities.

Later, Ivan encounters Edward at a statue on campus beneath which they used to meet. Edward, who had escaped from prison, is looking to take revenge on Ivan for having abandoned him during the hostage incident that cost him his future. He tries to drown Ivan in a whirlpool of sand, but is stopped by the timely arrival of Kotetsu and Barnaby. After Edward flees, Ivan tells the pair that they shouldn't have saved him, as he deserves Edward's anger. A talk with Kotetsu leads Ivan to change his thinking, and he decides to try and talk Edward out of making another potential mistake by purposefully committing murder.

When Lunatic corners Edward with the intent to kill him for not having completed his sentence, Ivan transforms into his friend and tries to trick Lunatic into shooting him instead. Unfortunately, Lunatic refuses - stating that a sinner would never take responsibility for their actions - and Ivan runs in front of Edward to shield him. Lunatic is just about to kill them both when Kotetsu and Barnaby arrive to confront him. Afterward, when Edward is being loaded into an armored truck that will return him to prison, Ivan blurts out that he will become a real hero and hopes they can be friends again someday. He is both stunned and relieved when Edward thanks him for saving his life before leaving.[3]

Jake Martinez and a City Held Captive

When the city officials take too long responding to Ouroboros's demands to release Jake, Hans Chuckman enters Justice Tower to threaten them and is subsequently captured by the heroes. They decide to have Ivan transform into Chuckman and accompany Jake and Kriem to Ouroboros' base so they can discern its location. Everything seems to be going smoothly until, shortly after they arrive, Jake corners Ivan, revealing that he knows that "Chuckman" is actually the hero Origami Cyclone. Ivan attempts to flee, but is stopped by Jake.

Later, when the other heroes arrive, Barnaby stumbles across what appears to be Jake but is in fact Ivan - who had been forced to transform into Jake. Kotetsu, believing it to be the real Jake and concerned that Barnaby will act without thinking, intervenes and "rescues" Ivan. Having sustained considerable injuries, Ivan is subsequently sent to the hospital to recover. He wakes up later, once the hero battles have already begun, and informs the city officials of how they can deactivate the exosuits threatening the city. For the duration of the battles, he remains in the hospital - eventually staying with Keith, Antonio and Kotetsu, following their individual defeats.

Mistaken Memories

Ivan is among the group Maverick gathers at a supposed announcement party, which instead serves as a means by which to use his NEXT powers to manipulate the memories of those present. As a result, Ivan's memory of Kotetsu being Wild Tiger is altered so that he considers them two separate people. He and the rest of the heroes are then sent out to capture Kotetsu, who has been framed for the murder of Samantha Taylor. Ivan appears to work together with Pao-Lin in this endeavor, at one point camouflaging himself with a brick wall and wanted poster to sneak up on Kotetsu.

When the heroes manage to surround Kotetsu on Apollon Media's rooftop, Ivan is stunned at the information Kotetsu uses to try and get him to remember: that he has no confidence in his abilities. After the heroes' memories are restored, Ivan and the others are frustrated and confused that they had forgotten Kotetsu and are almost immediately thrown into battle against the False Wild Tiger. Overpowered, they are all captured and locked in separate rooms, each with a bomb strapped around their neck. They are then informed that if one of them pushes the deactivation button, they will be allowed to leave but the others will all blow up. The heroes are given until the conclusion of the battle of Kotetsu and Barnaby vs. the H-01 android to decide - at which point all of them will explode.

The Rising

Series Two

Relationships

Edward and Ivan attended Hero Academy at the same time and were best friends. After Edward was sent to prison he blamed himself for not helping Edward, not visiting him out of guilt, and Edward begins to resent him. Ivan believed that Edward should have been a hero instead of him, and was even willing to let Edward kill him to make up for it. After Ivan protects Edward from Lunatic, Edward thanks him.[4] However Ivan is still too unsure and guilty to face Edward afterwards, so uses his powers to disguise himself as a nun. After confiding in Kotetsu he finally goes to visit Edward as himself, and Edward greats him with a smile. Ivan begins to visit Edward on a regular basis, having set aside a specific day to see him.[5] At some point he began sharing new ideas for his hero ruitine with Edward and asking for his feedback.[6]

As Ivan's confidence improves, he begins to spend more time with Antonio and Keith.

Abilities and Powers

Ivan has the ability to shapeshift into whatever he touches[7]. He can not copy any of the attributes such as strength or NEXT powers of a person he changes into.

Ivan has demonstrated the ability camouflage himself against a brick wall and wanted poster.[8] This implies that his power isn't limited to living things, and that he is able to shapeshift into various objects and items.

Ivan seems to be quite physically strong, with incredible balance and agility.

He has also demonstrated the ability to use several different weapons, and to pilot a helicopter[9].

Fitting the theme of his costume, Origami Cyclone is skilled in striking Kabuki poses thanks to diligent practice. He always looks for new moves to add to his routine, taking pride in it.

Hero Gear

HeroTV Communicator

Like all the Hero TV heroes Ivan wears a simple "communicator" wristband which Agnes can use to contact him, usually to inform him of a crime being committed. The other heroes can also use this communicator to call him. Ivan's communicator is white with black bands around the edges.

Hero Suit

Origami Cyclone's costume is highly decorative, and filled with logos from his sponsors. On his back is a large shuriken and two swords, and the armor covers his entire body. Starting in episode 14, he gained several more sponsors than he had previously.

Weapons

His costume also comes with several weapons. He has been shown using shuriken, a pair of swords[10], and the giant shuriken on his back[11].